Reptile

Like birds, reptiles also lay eggs but unlike birds they lay them on land. They are cold-blooded, this means that they need help to stay warm and cool. They can lie out in the sun to warm themselves up or head into the cooler water to cool down.

Reptiles can breath on land as we do using their lungs - these are much more efficient than ours though so they can stay under water for long periods of time.

Rather than fur, hair or feathers most reptiles have scales that cover their bodies.

Some reptiles like tortoise and turtles have a shard shell to help keep their soft bodies safe whilst others like snakes shed their skin as they outgrow their previous one.

Reptiles eat insects and small animals.

Did you know fossil evidence shows that reptiles have been on earth for around 315 million years - the longest of all the vertebrate groups and it is thought their are over 10,000 different types of reptiles sharing our planet with us today.

Reptiles are found on all continents in the world except Antartica.

Some reptiles have a special trick where they drop their tail. In doing so the predator focuses on the tail whilst the reptile escapes. Hey, they can always grow a new one :)

The Four Types of Reptiles

1. Lizards and snakes
2. Crocodiles and alligators
3. Turtles and tortoises
4. Tuatara (these are only found in New Zealand)

Reptiles

• Chameleon
• Crocodile
• Gecko
• Lizard
• Snake
• Tortoise
• Turtle